March 12, 2026, Washington, DC—Hezbollah’s rocket launches last night and the bombing campaign that ensued represent another devastating blow to Lebanon and its people. By once again dragging Lebanon into confrontation, these actions have accelerated the destruction, displacement, and suffering now unfolding across the country. No party or militia should be permitted to engage in activities for the interest of external actors that expose the country to catastrophic consequences, nor should they be allowed to violate the state’s sole sovereignty over decisions of war and peace. Any party or group that undermines the sovereignty of the state should not be permitted to participate in government decision-making.
Israel’s ongoing large-scale strikes and ground operations are inflicting devastating civilian harm and accelerating displacement on a massive scale, a trajectory that risks further destabilizing Lebanon and undermining prospects for a political resolution. Bombing Lebanon will not bring the two states closer to security and peace. At this critical moment, Lebanon and Israel must move urgently toward direct negotiations. The United States should use its leadership to bring the parties to the table before the situation deteriorates further. A political framework that addresses border security, the role of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), and the conditions for long-term stability and peaceful relations is the only sustainable path forward.
The events of the past days have exposed serious shortcomings in the Lebanese state’s ability to enforce its own authority. While the Lebanese Armed Forces remain the only national institution capable of preserving Lebanon’s unity and restoring state sovereignty, the failures witnessed in recent developments cannot be ignored.
Given the gravity of the situation, the Lebanese government should launch a formal review of the LAF’s operational failures and structure that addresses operational and leadership inefficiencies and resource gaps. Assistance from US Central Command (CENTCOM) to restore the LAF’s operational effectiveness will be essential to rebuild trust with international partners. CENTCOM can help assess the capabilities required for the LAF to carry out its mandate: enforcing the state’s authority, securing Lebanon’s borders, and advancing the long-overdue objective of disarming Hezbollah.
Strengthening the LAF is a necessity. If the institution fails, the consequences for Lebanon’s stability and unity will be severe. With help and guidance of CENTCOM, the LAF must be equipped, restructured and given the leadership and resources required to fulfill its role as the sole legitimate defender of Lebanon’s sovereignty.
While high level direct negotiations should commence, the Mechanism established as part of the November 2024 Cessation of Hostilities agreement should be strengthened to coordinate mil-to-mil deconfliction and coordination in the south of Litani area, in particular. CENTCOM can and should continue to play a critical role in moving the Mechanism objectives forward.
Meanwhile, to restore the confidence of the United States and the international community, the Lebanese government must use its limited elite forces to take immediate, concrete and visible measures to restore the state’s monopoly on arms, such as directing the LAF to deploy specialized units to prevent further rocket launches, secure weapons storage facilities and launch sites, dismantle unauthorized weapons infrastructure, and detain Hezbollah fighters.
Lebanon must demonstrate that it will no longer serve as a platform for Iranian influence or proxy warfare. The government should, accordingly, expel any foreign operatives involved in military activities on Lebanese soil, dismantle networks facilitating Iranian weapons transfers, and take diplomatic measures, including downgrading relations, to signal that Lebanon will not tolerate external interference in its sovereign decisions. Lebanon should immediately consider breaking diplomatic relations with Iran.
Lebanon must also undertake a broader set of strategic actions aimed at restoring the credibility and authority of the state. This includes developing a clear roadmap for reasserting state authority over all armed actors, but also taking decisive steps to curb illicit finance, smuggling networks, and corruption that sustain parallel power structures, and advancing meaningful governance reforms that rebuild trust in state institutions both domestically and internationally.
Engaging directly with communities most affected by the current conflict and displacement, especially the Shi’a community, will also ensure they are protected and supported. These communities must not become collateral victims of regional confrontation. As an integral part of Lebanon’s social fabric, they must be at the center of efforts to restore state authority, rebuild affected areas, and secure long-term stability. Priority humanitarian and recovery support must be directed to the Lebanese citizens most affected by the war.
Lebanon stands at a critical crossroads. The destruction and displacement now unfolding are stark reminders of the cost of allowing armed actors to operate outside the authority of the state. The government must act decisively and boldly, without delay and without excuses, to restore state authority, strengthen national institutions, and reclaim Lebanon’s future.